Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh backs Mike McDaniel as Justin Herbert struggles mount

Head coach Jim Harbaugh is standing by offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel despite the Los Angeles Chargers’ continued troubles on offense following Sunday’s 30-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Asked whether McDaniel’s play-calling role was in jeopardy after another flat performance, Harbaugh responded, “No, his job is not in jeopardy,” underscoring his support for his top offensive assistant.

McDaniel’s first season in charge of the Chargers offense has brought significant schematic changes after his time leading the Miami Dolphins. So far, the numbers have been grim. According to NFL statistics, Los Angeles ranks fourth-worst in scoring offense at 16.8 points per game. Through the air, the unit is averaging just 185.3 passing yards per outing, putting it on pace for the franchise’s lowest full-season mark since 1998.

Herbert posting career-worst efficiency in early going

Quarterback Justin Herbert has been at the centre of the downturn. Per the league’s stats department, he is the first Chargers passer since Ryan Leaf in 2000 to record at least six interceptions and 10 sacks taken over the team’s first four games. Herbert has never thrown this many picks this early in a season, and he has already been sacked 12 times, tied for the second-highest total in the NFL.

The efficiency metrics paint an equally harsh picture. Herbert’s Total QBR sits at 27.9 through four starts, the lowest early-season figure of his career after typically residing in the 60s. He is completing just 59.7% of his passes, and two first-half interceptions against Seattle helped stake the Seahawks to a 17-point advantage. In the loss, Herbert turned the ball over three times, including a late fumble on a sack that effectively ended any comeback hopes.

Harbaugh had already publicly pushed his quarterback after the Week 3 defeat to the Buffalo Bills, urging Herbert to raise his level as the on-field operator of McDaniel’s system. Herbert agreed he needed to play better, but the follow-up performance against Seattle only deepened the concerns about the passing game.

Staff refuses to scapegoat play-caller amid offensive crisis

Even amid the slump, neither Harbaugh nor Herbert is blaming the scheme. Herbert has reiterated his belief in McDaniel, stressing that he wants to execute the offense as designed and make more plays to help lift the unit. For his part, McDaniel has acknowledged that the issues go beyond individual mistakes and has been open about his own role in the slide.

Following the loss to the Bills, McDaniel said the Chargers’ offensive personnel, himself included, were not doing their jobs consistently. Before Sunday’s defeat, he described himself as “fully responsible” for the state of the offense and said he spends no time trying to dodge blame. The message from the staff is one of shared accountability rather than finger-pointing.

As the season moves toward its midpoint, the pressure is building on Harbaugh, McDaniel and Herbert to stabilize an attack that was expected to be a strength. If the Chargers cannot find answers quickly, they risk falling further behind while their franchise quarterback endures the toughest stretch of his pro career and their new offensive blueprint remains unsettled.